Several Samsung branches are reportedly attempting to prevent trade secret leaks by implementing a new facial recognition technology. The latter will require employees working remotely to have their faces scanned from six angles before gaining access to Samsung's systems.
According to reports from the Korean media, Samsung Display will test this new authentication system with subcontractors, business travelers, telecommuters, and dispatched workers starting today, September 2.
Other branches, including Samsung Electronics, Samsung SDI, and Samsung SDS, are employing this new authentication system as well. However, the labor union has raised privacy concerns and claims that Samsung's measures are excessive.
Continuous monitoring of remote employees
Samsung's new security system requires not only a comprehensive facial scan before remote employees can gain access to Samsung's system but also enables continuous surveillance.
Reports say that the system was designed so that if the employee leaves the computer and the facial recognition tech no longer detects them, it shuts down the monitor. The same happens if the system detects another person within the scanning range in front of the screen.
While the labor union is concerned that Samsung's authentication system is excessive, privacy-invasive, and treats employees as “potential criminals,” a Samsung Display representative said, “This measure is to prevent technology leakage.”
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The labor union, cited by Business Korea, states that Samsung already has measures in place to prevent trade secret leaks. The company stores computer usage records and inserts watermarks when employees access Samsung's network remotely.
Nevertheless, leaks still happen. Samsung branches, including Samsung Display, have had issues with trade secrets getting distributed without approval several times in the past. Last year, an ex-Samsung Display researcher who worked for the company for ten years conspired with other researchers to leak Samsung Display OLED technologies to his own display companies in China and South Korea.
